Chicago Police Department actress Tracy Spiridakos has finally revealed the reason she is leaving her role as Detective Hailey Upton.
Tracy, 28, joined the procedural drama midway through Season 4 before becoming a series regular in Season 5.
On Thursday, during the Season 11 finale, Hailey (Spiridakos) led the Intelligence Unit in search of Hank Voight (Jason Beghe), who was drugged and captured by serial killer Frank Matson.
The deadly confrontation with Frank sent Hailey and Hank to the hospital.
After tending to the wounds, Hailey and Hank had a heart-to-heart.
“I don’t want to leave the team. I don’t want to leave you,” Hailey told him.
She started crying and asked, “What if I don’t deserve it anymore?”
“You know,” Hank replied.
After the emotional goodbye, Hailey looked at her computer screen and searched for job openings at the FBI, FEMA and DEA.
She ended up in a taxi headed to Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
‘I LOVE EVERYBODY’
And now, in an interview with VarietyTracy revealed that she has wanted to leave the NBC drama since season 6.
The actress approached showrunner Gwen Sigan to start planning her departure.
“I decided at the end of my sixth season when I contacted Gwen and everyone at Wolf to let them know that I just wanted to do one more year,” shared Tracy.
“I wanted us to send the character one last season.”
“It was a difficult decision – very, very difficult. I love everyone on the show – cast, crew, producers, writers, everyone. It’s an incredible team.”
“I was just curious about what was available to me and I wanted to change, and that was it,” she concluded.
I love having the door open. I think what’s so cool about this universe is that people come back.
Gwen SiganChicago Police Department Showrunner
TAKE HER BACK?
Is this the last time audiences will see Hailey on the show?
Chicago PD showrunner discussed with CinemaBlend how the star could return in the future.
“Of course, yes! I’ll take her back whenever she wants to come back.” Gwen joked and laughed.
“Yes, of course, I love having the door open.”
“I think what’s so great about this universe is that people come back.”
“We’re capable of doing that, so if there’s an opportunity in the future and a story makes sense, that would be great,” she concluded.
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